Computer-based cognitive interventions in acquired brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Rodrigo Fernández López, Adoración Antolí, Rodrigo Fernández López, Adoración Antolí

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired brain injury (ABI) leads to cognitive deficits in a great variety of cognitive functions. Interventions aimed at reducing such deficits include the use of computer-based cognitive interventions. The present work synthetizes and quantitively analyses the effect of computer-based cognitive interventions in ABI.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest and Ovid databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) addressing this issue. A total number of 8 randomized-controlled trials were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. Univariate meta-analyses were conducted for every cognitive function, producing aggregates when a study contributed more than one effect size per cognitive domain.

Results: Random-effects meta-analyses showed an improvement of Visual and Verbal working memory, while other domains like Attention, Processing speed, Executive functions and Memory were not benefited by the interventions.

Conclusions: Computer-based cognitive interventions might be a beneficial intervention for ABI population to improve Visual and Verbal working memory, although no effect was found in other cognitive domains. Implications and possible future directions of the research are discussed.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1. PRISMA flowchart of the studies…
Fig 1. PRISMA flowchart of the studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.
Fig 2. Risk of bias assessment of…
Fig 2. Risk of bias assessment of individual studies included in the meta-analysis.
Fig 3. Risk of bias assessment across…
Fig 3. Risk of bias assessment across the studies included in the meta-analysis by the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
Represented in the X axis are the percentages of studies for every risk of bias domain.
Fig 4. Forest plot for the Verbal…
Fig 4. Forest plot for the Verbal working memory cognitive domain.
Fig 5. Forest plot for the Visual…
Fig 5. Forest plot for the Visual working memory cognitive domain.

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